Convertible well packer and bridge plug



May' 5, 1954 w. D. MYERS 3,131,765

CONVERTIBLE WELL PACKER AND BRIDGE PLUG Filed April 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l 156. 1. Pa. 1a.

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May 5, 1964 w. D. MYERS 3,131,765 I CONVERTIBLE WELL PACKER AND BRIDGE PLUG Filed April 13, 1962 4 sheets-sheet 2 a 2 C 5 p w w M .w\`\ V p 7L/ 2/f... n n@ 1./ v w x mD. nh olv... m M /FMEO 0 alu M L #4?, f, i; www@ ww ,W

May 5, 1954, w. D. MYERS 3,131,765

CONVERTIBLE WELL PACKER AND BRIDGE PLUG Filed April 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /gmwgy f #vif//lfv v i i f- 172,* f' 52 ENTOR.

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May 5, 1954 w. D. MYERS 3,131,765

CONVERTIBLE WELL PACKER AND BRIDGE PLUG Filed April 13, 1962 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent O 3,131,765 CONVERTBLE WELL PACKER AND BRIDGE PLUG William D. Myers, Houston, Tex., assigner to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 187,307 Claims. (Cl. 166--133) The present invention relates to subsurface equipment for use in well bores, and more particularly to well packers adapted to be set in such well bores to perform divers purposes therewithin, such as functioning as a bridge plug or a production packer.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer adapted to be set in a well bore and capable of conversion between a bridge plug state and a packer state with the packer having a passage therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to convert a well packer set in a well bore and having a passage therethrough into a bridge plug and then reconverting the device to its original well packer state, all while the packer remains in the well bore.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles or" the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best deiined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES l and la together constitute a longitudinal section through a well packer lowered in a well casing set in a well bore prior to anchoring of the well packer in packed-oit condition in the well casing, FIG. la being a lower extension of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the well packer illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1a;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 3 3 on FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 4a are views similar to FIGS. 1 and la of the well packer anchored in packed-oli condition in the well casing and the setting mechanism released therefrom, FIG. 4a being a lower extension of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the set well packer, disclosing the central plug portion being released and ejected therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through a modified form of plug device adapted to be run in and latched to the well packer, with the parts in one relative position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the plug device fully latched in the well packer and the tubing string released therefrom.

As shown in the drawings, a well packer A is to be set or has been set in a well casing B disposed in a well bore C, this well packer having a passage 16 therethrough that is to be closed by a suitable plug device D capable of converting the packer into a bridge plug. Thereafter, the plug device D can be ejected from the packer passage 1i) to open the latter and permit ilow of uids through it or through a tubing string E (FIG. 5) extending therethrough.

As disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, the plug device D is embodied in the well packer A whenthe latter is being run in the well casing B, the plug device assisting in setting of the well packer in packed-off condition in the well casing. Thereafter, the plug device can be removed, as by being ejected, from the packer passage 10. In the 3,131,765 Patented May 5, 1964 ICC form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plug device D can be lowered through the well casing and then securely locked in place within the central passage 10 through a previously installed well packer A. In the event the well packer passage 1t) is to be opened at a later date, the plug device D is readily removable therefrom in the same manner as the plug device illustrated in FIGS. l to 5, inclusive.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, the well packer A is provided which includes a main body member 11 having the central passage 10 therethrough. The well packer may be of any desired form. The one specically disclosed has an upper threaded box 12 and a lower body guide 13 threadedly attached to the lower portion of the main body. A set of lower segmental slips 14 rest upon the body guide, coacting with a lower expander 1S for anchoring the well packer against the wall of the Well casing B against downward movement therewithin. The lower slips 14 are held initially in retracted position by shear screws 16 attaching them to the lower expander 15, the lower expander being initially releasably secured to the body 11 by shear screws 17. An initially retracted packing structure 1S of any suitable type encompasses the main body 11, with its lower portion engaging the lower expander 15 and its upper portion engaging an upper expander 19 surrounding the body, which is initially attached thereto by one or more shear screws 20. r.'his upper expander coacts with a plurality of upper segmental slips 21 for anchoring the well packer against upward movement in the well casing, the slips being held initially in retracted position by shear screws 22 attaching them to the upper expander 19. The upper ends of the upper slips 21 engage the lower end of a setting sleeve 23 slidable along the body 11, this setting sleeve extending above the upper end of the main body of the packer.

As illustrated, the body 11 has a plurality of downwardly facing ratchet teeth 24 thereon adapted to engage with companion upwardly facing internal ratchet teeth 25 on a split body lock ring 26 disposed within the lower portion of the setting sleeve 23 and having external cam teeth 27 coacting with internal cam teeth 28 in the setting sleeve. The coengagement between the cam teeth 27, 28 urges the ratchet teeth 2S in the sleeve 26 into full mesh with the ratchet teeth 24 of the body 11. However, upward movement of the body ratchet teeth 24 can expand the sleeve 26 suiciently to allow the body 11 to move upwardly relative to the setting sleeve 23, or, for that matter, permit the setting sleeve to move downwardly along the packer body. With the ratchet teeth 24, 25 fully meshed, there is suliicient lateral clearance between the cam teeth 27, 28 on the latch ring 26 and sleeve 23 to pernnt full disengagement between the ratchet teeth 24, 25 to occur.

As illustrated in the form of invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, the central passage 10 through the main body is initially closed by the plug device D, which is also used in expanding the slips 21, 14 and packing structure 18 against the well casing B. As shown, the plug device D includes a plug body 30 formed of an inner body section 31 extending upwardly into an outer body section 32 to which it is threadedly attached. A groove 33 is defined between a lower flange 34 on the lower body section 31 and the lower end of the outer body section 32 in which a seal ring 35 of rubber or rubber-like material is disposed adapted to sealingly engage the wall of the main packer body 11. The lower portion 36 of the outer body section 32 is circumferentially continuous, its upper portion being provided with circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots 37 opening through the upper end of the outer body section, providing latch arms 3S terminating in upper latch lingers or dogs 39 having male thread elements or outer projections 40 thereon adapted to mesh with the female thread 41 of the body box 12. As shown, the upper side of the male threads or teeth iti conform to the lower side of the box thread 41, whereas the lower sides 42 of the male` threads are tapered in a downward and inward direction so as to engage the female thread 41 and cam the latch lingers or dogsV 39' inwardly when such action is permitted.

The inner body section 31 includes an upwardly projecting stem 43l piloted within a central passage or bore 44 in a latch retainer 4S. This-latch retainer 45 includes an enlarged diameter portion 46 providing a cylindrical holding surface 47 adapted to be disposed behind the latch arms 38 and latch lingers 39, in order to hold the male threads 4t) fully meshed with the female thread 41 of the, packerV body box 12. With the holding surface 47 in the position illustrated in. FIGS. 1 and 2, an upwardly tapering thrust shoulder 48 on the retainer member 45 engages a companion internalV shoulder 49 formed on an inwardly projecting portion 51 of the latch lingers, so that any upwardly directed forces imposed on the latch retainer 45 are transmitted throughV the thrust shoulders 48, 49 to the latch fingers 39, and from the threads 40 of the latter to the packer body box 12.

The thrust shoulders 48, 49 are maintained contiguous one another with the cylindrical holding surface 47 disposed behind the latch lingers 39 by a releasable connection in the form of generally radial shear pins t) disposed ina transverse bore 51a extending through the latch retainer 45, the outer ends of the shear pins engaging the latch lingers 39 and being disposed above upwardly facing shoulders 52 on the inward projections 51 of the latter. The shear pins 50 are urged in an outward direction by an intervening helical compression spring 53 disposed in the bore 51but the shear pins may retract within the' bore, asl described hereinbelow in connection with the form of inventionillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In View of the circumferentially spaced slots 37 between adjacent latch lingers 39 and latch arms 38, the shear pins 50 are appropriately oriented or held immediately above the upwardly facing. shoulders 52 ofthe latch lingers or dogs by an orienting screw 55 threaded into the latch retainer 4S and' disposed in one of the slots 37 between adjacent latch arms 38.

It is apparent thatwith the shear pins 50 disposed immediately above the linger shoulders 52, the latch retainer 45,7cannotshift downwardly along the dogs or lingers 39, upward movement of the latch retainer 45 being prevented by the coengagement of the thrust shoulders 48, 49 and the fact that the male threads 4t) are fully meshed with kthe female box threads 41. However, upon shearing pf' the pins Sti, as described hereinbelow, the latch retainer 45 can be shifted downwardly along the latch arms 381 and the innerbody stem 4-3 to place the enlarged cylindrical holding portion 46 of the latch retainer substantially below the lingers or dogs 39, at which time a reduced diameter or relief por-tion 56 of the retainer is disposed: opposite thelatch. lingers or dogs, such as disclosedv in FIG. 5, permitting the arn'lsy 3S and lingers 39 to dellect inwardly, the.Y inclined lower cam surfaces 42 on the male threads 40'elfecting a camming of the lingers inwardly from meshing relation to the box threads 41.

, When the shear pins 50i are intact and` above the shouldersA 52 of the latch lingers. 39, the passage 10V through the plug body 11 is fully closed. The closing action occurs because ofthe sealing engagement of the plug body ring 35 against. thewall of the packer body 171, and also because ofthe closing of a central equalizer passage 57 in the inner body section 31 extending upwardly from its lower end'` and terminating atY the side ports 58 through its stem 43'. TheV passage 57 is closed by a lower sleeve valve portion 59 of the latch retainer 45, whichv extends across the ports 58 and in engagement with the side seal rings 60 mounted on the stem onV opposite sides of the ports. The sleeve valve 59 also has equalizer side ports 61 and an upper bleeder port 62 at its uppermost portion,

4 establishing lluid communication between the central passage or bore 44 of the latch retainer and the exterior thereof.

With the plug D in its latched condition within the packer body 11, such as illustrated in FIG. 2, fluid pressure differential above the well packer within-the well casing cannot shift the latch retainerv45 in a downward direction, since the pressure above and below the retainer is equalized, passing through the equalizer ports 61 into the passage or bore 44, so that such pressure acts over equal and opposite areas of the latchV retainer. Any pressure dilerential above the well packer, however, will act in a downward direction over the full cross-sectional area of the plug body 30, tending to shift it downwardly in theV body passage. However, such downward shifting cannot occur because of the engagement of a downwardly facing inclined shoulder 63 at the lower portion of the latch lingers or dogs 39 with a companion inclined body shoulder 64 immediately belowv the box threads 41.

As stated above, the ejectableor removable plug device D is also employable for the purpose of setting the well packer in the well bore. In accomplishing this purpose, the upper portion 65 of the latch retainer 45 has a threaded bore 66 in which a release or disruptable stud 67 is threaded, the upper end of this stud being threaded into a sub 68A threadedly secured tol a tension mandrel 69 forming part of a wire line pressure actuating mechanism used for setting the bridge plug A fully in the well casing B. This setting mechanism also includes an outer actuating sleeve structure 76, the upper portion 71 of which is threaded onto a nut 72, which is, in turn, threaded onto an adapter sleeve 73 resting upon the upper end of the setting sleeve 23 of theV bridge plug`- The setting mechanism forms no part ofthe present'invention. A description of one form thereof may be found in United States Patent No. 2,640,546. It is sulicient to state thatV the settingv mechanism exerts an upward pull on the tension mandrel 69 and a downward force on the actuating sleeve structure 70. The upward force on. the tension mandrel is transmitted through the sub 68 to the. release stud 67, that has a central weakened section 74, which exerts an upward pull on the latch retainer 45, this upward" pull being transmitted through the thrust shoulders 48,. 49 to thelatch lingers 39, and from the latter to the packer body 11, tending to urge the body in an upward direction. At the same time, the setting mechanism (not shown) is exerting a downward force on the actuating sleevestructure 70, which exerts a downward force on the packer setting sleeve 23. It is by virtue of the upward movement of the body 11 and the relative downward shiftingl of the setting sleeve 23 that thewell packer A is anchored' in packed-olf condition in the well casing B'.

The apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive,

' is run in the well casing on a wire line (not shown) until the wellpacker A is located at the. desired setting depth in the well bore. The setting mechanism is then appropriately actuated to cause the tension mandrel 69 to move upwardly and the actuating sleeve structure 70 to move downwardly; Such action causes the shear screws 22. attaching the upper slips 21 to the upper expander 19 to be disrupted, the setting sleeve 23 shifting the upper slips downwardly along the upper expander and outwardly against the wall of the well casing. A continuation of the upward movement of the tension mandrel 69 will etfectV an-,upward shifting of the body 11, through the agency of the ejectable plug devicek D. The upward force on the body shears the screws 20 securing the upper expander 19 to the body, allowing the lower expander 15 to be shifted toward' the upper expander, which shortens the packing structure 18 and expands it against the WallA of the well casingy B. A continuation of the upward movement of the body 1-9 then shears the screws 16, 17 holding the lower slips 14 toV the. lower expander 15 and the` lower expander to the body 11.,

shifting the lower slips 14 upwardly along the lower expander and outwardly against the wall of the well casing. The setting force in the setting mechanism (not shown) continues to increase to more firmly wedge the upper expander 19 behind the upper slips 21 and the lower expander 15 behind the lower slips 14, to embed the slips more firmly in the wall of the Well casing, and also more firmly compressing the packing structure 18 into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing and against the periphery of the body 11. Eventually, the tensile strength of the release stud 67 will be exceeded and this member will part at its weakened section 74, eecting a disconnection between the setting mechanism and the well packer, the setting mechanism then being withdrawn from the well casing, including its tension mandrel 69, sub 63, upper portion of the disrupted release stud 67, and the actuating sleeve structure 70 surrounding the mandrel (FIG. 4). The well packer A is now anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing B against movement in both directions therewithin, the

ratchet ring 26 preventing relative downward movement of the body 11 with respect to the setting sleeve 23 and the other parts of the well packer surrounding the body.

Since the plug device D is latched in the packer body 11, the passage 10 through the latter is closed. Accordingly, the well packer is now constituted as a bridge plug, forming a solid barrier across the well casing B. A suitable pressuring operation can now be performed in the well bore above the anchored bridge plug, such pressuring operation being incapable of shifting the plug D downwardly of the packer and out of the body passage 19. In the event that there is any pressure differential below the well packer A, such pressure cannot shift the plug device D upwardly from the passage 16, since the pressure acts on the plug body 3i) and is transmitted through its arms 38 and latch lingers 39 to the packer body. Since the seal diameter of the seal rings 66 on opposite sides of the side ports 5S through the stem 43 are equal, there can be no pressure acting on the valve sleeve 59 tending to shift it upwardly. Even if such pressure were present, upward shifting could not occur since the upward forces would be transmitted from the thrust shoulder 48 directly to the latch ngers 39 and through its threads to the threads 41 of the packer body box 12. The plug device D remains in the main body passage l@ and cannot be shifted by fluid pressure in either direction within the packer body passage.

After a pressuring operation has been completed, it may be desired to open the passage 1G through the well packer by removing the plug device D therefrom, as, for example, when the well packer is to be used as a production packer. Production tubing E can be lowered through the well casing (FIG. 5). When its lower end engages the upper end of the latch retainer 45, a sufficient downward force can be imposed thereon to exceed the shear strength of the shear pins 50. Any downward force imposed on the latch retainer isV transmitted through the shear pins 50 to the latch fingers or dogs 39 and through the latter to the body shoulder 64. When the shear strength of the shear pins is exceeded, the outer portions of the pins are sheared away from their inner portions, which then permits the latch retainer 45 to shift downwardly along the latch fingers 39, latch arms 38 and body stem 43 to the extent limited by engagement of the lower end of the sleeve valve portion 59 of the latch retainer with the inner body section 31, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, at which time the equalizer port 61 will be disposed between the seal rings 60 and in alignment with the stem ports 58, allowing the pressures above and below the well packer to equalize, since there is an open passage 57, 58, 61 through the plug device. To insure the downward movement of the latch retainer 45 to its full extent, the bleeder hole or port 62 is provided in the latch retainer 45 at the upper end of its passage 44, the relative movement of the upper end of the stem 43 into the latch retainer passage 44 above the latch retainer equalizer ports 61 resulting in the fluid in the passage above the equalizer ports being discharged through the bleeder port.

When the latch retainer 45 has been shifted to its lower position, such as disclosed in FIG. 5, the reduced diameter portion 56 of the latch retainer is disposed opposite the latch fingers 39. Accordingly, the imposition of a downward force on the latch retainer through the tubing string E will cause such downward force to be transmitted to the latch body 30, pulling the latch arms 38 and latch ngers 39 downwardly, the female thread 41 and inclined body shoulder 64 engaging the inclined surfaces 42, 63 on the latch lingers, which will deect the latch fingers inwardly so that they clear the inner portions of the threads 41, and also the body shoulder 64, the linger threads 4f) being shifted inwardly within the body passage 1l). A continuation of the downward movement of the tubular string E can then push the entire plug structure D down through the body passage 10 for ejection from its lower end, the plug device then dropping to the bottom of the hole free from interference with the ability of the well production to flow into the well casing B and then through the ports P in the tubing string E and up through the latter to the top of the well bore. The tubing string E will usually carry seal devices (not shown), or the like, adapted to seal against the wall of the packer body 11.

In the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, essentially the same ejectable plug device D is used as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive. However, the plug device has been conditioned so that it can be lowered in the well casing B and inserted into a well packer A that has previously been anchored in packed-o condition in the well casing. In this manner, the central passage 19 through the packer body 11 can be closed, in order to convert the packer into a bridge plug and allowing a pressuring operation, or the like, to take place in the well bore above such bridge plug. Thereafter, the bridge plug can be reconverted into a packer having an open central passage .l0 therethrough, in the same manner as described in connection with FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ejectable plug device D comprises the same parts as in the ejectable plug device in the other form of the invention. Initially, however, the shear pins 50 are disposed substantially below the latch fingers 39, such as shown in FIG. 6, the intervening spring 53 constantly tending to urge the shear pins outwardly. The inwardly directed portions 51 of a pair of opposed latch fingers have segments Sti of a relatively srnall arcuate extent releasably secured thereto, as by means of shear screws 81, these segments extending inwardly toward the reduced diameter portion 56 of the latch retainer. The distance between the inner surface of each latch segment Sil and the reduced diameter periphery 56 of the latch retainer is such as to permit the latch fingers 39 to deflect inwardly sufficiently to disengage the male thread elements 49 from the box threads 4l, but the segments Si) will engage the reduced diameter peripheral portion 56 before the fingers 39 can rnove inwardly sufficiently to provide an effective external diameter of the latch fingers 39 which is less than the diameter of the body passage It). In other words, the segments will prevent inward collapsing of the fingers 39 to an extent sufficient to cause the lower thrust shoulders 63 on the fingers 39 to move inwardly from engagement with the upwardly facing tapered body shoulder 64.

The ejectable plug device is releasably secured to a tubular running-in string S, such as a string of tubing, having a sub 83 threaded thereon and attached to the upper portion of the latch retainer 45 by shear screws 84. As stated above, the well packer A has previously been set in the well bore. The ejectable plug device D can be lowered readily on the tubing string S through the well casing B to the location of the well packer, the plug parts being disposed in: the relative positions` illustrated in FIG. 6. The plug body Sil-will enter theV box portionV 12' of the packer and move into itsl central' passage 161. The retainer 45 exerts a downward :torce on the'plug body 36, and when the latch lingers 39 engage the box threads 41, their inclined sides 63, 42 will cause them to dehect inwardly and allow them to ride past the threads 41 until the thrust shoulder 63V on the ngers engages the bod-y shoulder 64; As pointed out above, the segments 86 engage the reduced diameter portion 56 of the latch retainerI 45 to prevent' inward collapse of the lingers 39 to the extent in Vwhich they will clear the body shoulder 64 andl move down into the body passage 1l).

When the shoulders 63, 64 are coengaged, further downward movement of the plug cannot occur. VAccordingly, the operator at the top'of the well bore will then effect an upward movement of the tubular string S, which will carry the latch retainer 45 upwardly with it, the latch body 30 being prevented from moving upwardly by the outward expansion of the latch linger thread elements 4l? into mesh with the box threads 41'. During upward movement of the latch retainer 45, an upwardly facing shoulder 9d at the lower end of its reduced diameter portion 56 willv engage the latch segments 80, whereupon the taking of a sufficient strain on the tubing string S and latch retainer 45 will shear the screws Si holding the segments to the latch lingers 39, the latch retainer 45 then beingV capable of continued upward movement along the latch arms 38 and lingers 39, its shear pins Sii-engaging the tapered inner sides 49 of the latch lingers and shifting inwardly within the transverse bore 5i against the force of the spring 53. When the pins Sii are disposed'v above the linger shoulders 52, the spring 53 will reshift them outwardly to a position above thesey shoulders, this position being positively determined by engagement of the thrust shoulder 48 on the latch retainer with the companion lower taperedv shoulders 49 on the latch lingers. The plugging device D is then in the position illustrated in FIG. 7, which is the same position as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the other form of the invention. The taking of a suicient upward strain on the tubing string S will now elect a disruption of the shear screws S4 securing the sub 83V of the latter to the latch retainer 45, allowing the tubing strings 4to be elevated in the well bore (FIG. 7). Suchupward strain cannot move theiretainer 45 upwardly to any further extent, in view of the coengagement between the thrust shoulders 4S, 49, the force being transmitted through the lingers 39 and the threads 40, 41 to the anchored packer body 11.

The well packer A has now been fully converted to a bridge plug, and subsequent operations can be performed in the Well bore, such as described in connection with the Vother form of the invention. If the well packer is to be reconverted to a device having an open passage 10, the plug D is ejectable in the same manner as described in connection with the other form of the invention; that is, suliicient downward force is imposed on the latch retainer 45, as by engaging it by a string of tubing, which may actually be the same tubing string S used in lowering the plug devicein the well casing to the location of the previously set packer, the shear pins 50 ybeing disrupted to remove the retainer 45 from its holding relation with respect to the latch lingers 39, the latter shifting inwardly to a suliicient extent for movement downwardly into the packer passage 10. rEhe inward, shifting of the latch lingers-39 can occur inasmuch as the segments li of relatively smallV arcuate extent have previously been removed 'as the result of shearing the screws 81' initially holding them to the lingers. The plugY device can be ejected completely from the packer passage 10, opening the latter tothe low of fluids therethrough, or to the how of liuids upwardly through a tubing string E or S extending through the body passage 19 in suitable sealing relation to the inner wall of the packer body 1v1.

I claim:

1. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a wellv bore and including a packer body having a passage and means. thereon for securing said packer body inthe weil bore; a plug in said' passage to prevent flow of fluid there`V through, including a plug body in' said passage having latch means engaging said packer'body to holdsaid plug body against downward movement in said passage, said plug body having an equalizer passage through which liuid can low between regions above and below said plug body, retainer means engaging said latch means to prevent release or' said latch means from said packer body, and-'valve means on said retainer means piloted over a portion of said plug body to close said equalizer passage when said retainer means engages said latch means, said retainer means being movable to a released position with respect to said latch meansV and sliding saidvalve means over said portion of the plug body to aposition opening said equalizer passage.

2. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well' bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon for securing said packer body in the well bore; aplug in said passage to prevent iiow of huid therethrough, including a plug body in said passage having latch means engaging said packer body to hold said plugV body against downward movement in! said passage, said plug body having an equalizer passage through which huid can how between regions above and below said plug body, said equalizer passage terminating in an upper side port, retainer means engaging said latch means to prevent release of saidv latch means from said packer body, and` valve means on saidl retainer means disposed across saidside port to close thesame when said retainer means engages said lateh means, said retainer means being movable lto a released position with respect to said latch means and shifting said valve means to a positoin opening said port.

3. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon fory securing said packer body in the well bore; a plug in said passage to prevent liow of fluid therethrough, including aplug body in said passage having latchv means engaging said packer body to hold said plug body against downward movement in said passage, saidl plug `body having an equalizer passage through whichv fluid can llow between regions above and below said plug body, said equalizer passage terminating in an'upperside port, retainer means engaging said latch meansto prevent release of said latch means from said packer body, and a sleeve valve on said retainer means piloted over a portion of said plug body and disposed across said port'to close the same when said retainer means engages said latch means, said retainer means being movable to releasedposition with respect to said latchmeans and shifting said' sleeve valve along said portion of the plug body to a position opening said port. Y K

4. A well packer apparatus adapted to-be set in a well bore and including a packer body having ya passage and mems thereon for securing said packer body in the well bore, said body having anupwardly facing shoulder surrounding its passage, a plug in saidN passage to prevent flow of uid therethrough, including a plug body in said' passage having latch means engaging said shoulder to hold said plug body against downward movement in'said passage, said plug body having a stern portion through which an equalizer passage extends which terminates in an upper side port, retainer means engaging said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said shoulder, and a sleeve valve on said retainer means piloted over said stem and disposed across saidl port to close the same when said retainer means engages said latch means, said retainer means being movablelongitudinally of said latch means to a released position with respect thereto and shifting said sleeve valve longitudinally along said stem to a position opening said port'.

5. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, said body having an upper threaded box and an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box; a plug in said passage to prevent flow of fluid therethrough, including a plug body in said passage having latch means engaging said shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said passage, and shiftable retainer means engaging said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said shoulder and threaded box, said retainer means being shiftable from said latch means to permit inward movement of said latch means and its release from said shoulder and threaded box.

6. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, said body having an upper threaded box and an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box; a plug in said passage to prevent ow of iiuid therethrough, including a plug body in said passage having latch means engaging said shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said passage, shiftable retainer means engaging said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said shoulder and threaded box, said retainer means being shitable downwardly of said latch means to permit release of said latch means from said shoulder and threaded box, and coengaging means on said retainer means and latch means for transmitting upwardly directed forces imposed on said retainer means through said latch means to said threaded box.

7. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, said body having an upper threaded box and an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box; a plug in said passage to prevent flow of iiuid therethrough, including a plug body in said passage having upwardly extending arms provided with latch tingers at their upper portion engaging said shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said passage, a retainer within and engaging said iingers to prevent their inward movement and release from said shoulder and threaded box, said iingers having inward projections engaged by an upwardly facing shoulder on said retainer to transmit upward forces imposed on said retainer through said i'lngers to said threaded box, and shear means on said retainer engaging said inward projections to prevent downward movement and release of said retainer from said iingers, said shear means being disrupted when subjected to a predetermined downward force imposed on said retainer to allow downward shifting of said retainer along said latch iingers and arms to released position with respect thereto.

8. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon securing said packer body in the well bore; a plug ladapted to be inserted in said passage to prevent dow of fluid therethrough, including a plug body insertable in said passage and having expansible and retractable latch means engageable with said packer body to hold said plug body against upward and downward movement in said passage, shiftable retainer means engageable with said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said packer body, said retainer means being adapted to occupy a rst longitudinal position along said latch means permitting retraction of said latch means from said packer body and a second longitudinal position along said latch means preventing release of said latch means from said body, releasable coengageable means on said latch means and retainer means limiting the extent of retraction of said latch means and preventing said retainer means from occupying said second position, means on said rel@ tainer engageable with said releasable means to release the same and permit movement of said retainer means to said second position, and means releasably holding said retainer means in said second position.

9. A well paclrer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, said body having an upper threaded box and an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box surrounding said passage and having an effective minimum diameter substantially less than the minimum diameter of said threaded box; a plug adapted to be inserted in said passage to prevent tiow of fluid therethrough, including a plug body insertable in said passage and having expansible and retractable latch means engageable with said body shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said passage, shiftable retainer means engageable with said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said shoulder and threaded box, said retainer means being adapted to occupy a first longitudinal position along said latch means permitting retraction of said latch means from said packer body to an extent suticient to permit movement of said latch means in said packer body passage and a second longitudinal position `along said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said shoulder and threaded box, releasable coengageable means on said latch means and retainer means limiting the extent of retraction of said latch means preventing said latch means from entering said passage but permitting release of said latch means from said threaded box and also preventing said retainer means from occupying said second position, means on said retainer engageable with said releasable means to release the same and permit movement of said retainer means to said second position, and means releasably holding said retainer means in said second position.

10. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, said body having an upper threaded box and an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box, said shoulder extending laterally inwardly of said threaded box; a plug in said passage to prevent flow of uid therethrough, including a plug body insertable in said passage and having expansible and retractable latch means engageable with said shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said passage, shiftable retainer means engageable with said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said shoulder and threaded box, said retainer means being adapted to occupy a iirst longitudinal position along said latch means permitting retraction of said latch means from said packer body and a second longitudinal position along said latch means preventing release of said latch means from said body, shearable means on said latch means engageable with said retainer means to limit the extent of retraction of said latch means and preventing disengagement of said latch means from said shoulder and also preventing said retainer means from occupying said second position, means on said retainer means engageable with said shearable means to shear the same and thereby permit movement of said retainer means to said second position, and shear means releasably connecting said retainer means to said latch means to hold said retainer means in said second position, said shear means being disruptable upon being subjected to a predetermined force by said retainer means to allow movement of said retainer means to said first position permitting retraction of said latch means from said threaded box and shoulder and longitudinal movement of said latch means in said packer body passage below said shoulder.

ll. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage snai/res and means thereon securing said body in the well bore, said body having an upper threaded box and an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box and extending inwardly thereof toward the axis of said packer body; a plug insertable in said passage to prevent flow of uid therethrough, including a plug'body insertable in said passage and having upwardly extending arms provided with latch fingers at their upper portion engageable with said shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said passage, a retainer within and adapted to occupy a lower position below said fingers permitting retraction of said fingers h'om said threaded box and shoulder and' an upper positioning engaging said fingers to prevent their inward movement and release from said shoulder and threaded box, said fingers having inward projections adapted to be engaged by an upwardly facing shoulder on saidV retainer to transmit upward forces imposed on saidV retainer through said tingers to said threaded box, shearable means connected to said projections and engageable with said retainer to limit the extent of retraction of said fingers Vpermitting their release from said threaded box but preventingV their movement inwardly sufiiciently for disengagement from said packer body shoulder when said retainer occupies said lower position, means onY said retainer engageable with said shearable means to disrupt the same and permit movement of said retainer to said upper position, and shear means disposed above and engaging said inward projections to releasably hold said retainer in said upper position. j

12. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, said body having an upper threaded box and. an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box; a plug in said passage to prevent flow of fiuid therethrough, 'including a plug body in said passage having latch means engaging said shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said' passage, said plug body having an equalizer passage through which fluid can ow between regionsV above and below said plug body, retainer means engaging said latch means to prevent release. of said latch means from said' threadedr box and shoulder, and valve means on said retainer meansfor closing said equalizer passage when said retainer means engages said latch means, said retainer means being movable to a released positionrwith respect tof-said latch means andshifting said valve meansr to a position' openingsaidA equalizer passage. i i j 1'3. A wall packer apparatus adapted to be' set in a wellY bore and including a packer body having a passage andV means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, 'said' body having an upper threaded. box and. an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower end of said threaded box; a plug in said passage to prevent fiow of fluidv therethrough, including a plug body in said pasisage havinglatch means engaging said shoulder'and threaded box to hold? said plug body against downwardl and upward movement'in said passage, saidl plug body having an equalizerl passage through which uid can flow between regions above and below said plug body, said equalizer passage terminating in an upper side port, retainer means engaging said latch means to prevent release of said latch means from said shoulder and threaded' box, and valve means on said retainer means disposed across saidv side port to close the same when said retainer means engages said latch means, said retainer meansfbeing movable to a released position with respect to said latchV means and shifting said valve means toV a position opening said port.

1'4. A well packer apparatus adapted to be set ina well bore and including a packer body having apassage and? means thereon for securing said body in the well bore, saidbody having an upper threaded box and an upwardly facing shoulder adjacent to the lower endof said threaded box; a plug in said passage to prevent iiow of fluid therethrough, including a plug body in said passage having upwardly extending arms provided with latch fingers at their upper portion engaging saidV shoulder and threaded box to hold said plug body against downward and upward movement in said passage, said plug body having a stem portion through which an equalizer passage extends terminating in an upper side port, a retainer within and engaging said fingers to prevent their inward movement and release from saidl shoulder and threaded box, a sleeve valve on said retainer piloted over said stem and disposed across said passagey to close the same when said retainer engages said ngers, said fingers having inward projections engaged by an upwardly facing shoulder on said retainer to transmit upward forces imposed on said retainer through said fingersV to said threaded box, and shear means on said retainer engaging said' inward projections to prevent downward movement and release of saidk retainer from said fingers, said shear means being disrupted when subjected to aA predetermined downward force imposed on said retainer to allowy downward shifting of said retainer along said latch fingers and arms to released position with respect thereto and to shift said sleevel valve longitudinally along said stem to a position openingsaid port.

l5. A well packer apparatus ladapted `to be set inA a well bore and including a packer body having a passage and means thereon securing said packer body in the well bore; a plug adapted to be inserted in said passage to prevent ow of fluid therethrough, including a plug' body insertable in said passage and having expansible andretractable latch means engageablev with saidy packer body to hold4 said' plug body4 against vupward and downward movementV in said passage, shiftable' retainer means engageable with said latch means toy prevent release of said latch means from said packer body, said retainer means being adapted to occupy a first longitudinal position along said latch means permitting retraction of said latch means and from said packer body and a second longitudinal position along said latch means preventing release of said latch means from said body, releasable coengageable means on said latch means and retainer means limiting thek extent of retraction of said latch means and preventing said retainer means from occupying said second position, means on said retainer engageable with said releasable meansA to release the same and permit movement of said retainer means to said second position, means releasably holding said retainer means in said second position, saidv plug body having equalizer passage through which duid can flow between regions above and below said plug body, Valve means on said retainer means closing said equalizer passage when said retainer means occupy saidy second longitudinal position, said valve means being shifted by said retainer means to a position opening said equalizer passage when .said retainer means occupy said first longitudinal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,687,775 Baker Q..- Aug. 31, 1954 2,707,998 Baker et al May l0, 1955 3,002,563 Crowe et. 3, 1961 

1. A WELL PACKER APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE SET IN A WELL BORE AND INCLUDING A PACKER BODY HAVING A PASSAGE AND MEANS THEREON FOR SECURING SAID PACKER BODY IN THE WELL BORE; A PLUG IN SAID PASSAGE TO PREVENT FLOW OF FLUID THERETHROUGH, INCLUDING A PLUG BODY IN SAID PASSAGE HAVING LATCH MEANS ENGAGING SAID PACKER BODY TO HOLD SAID PLUG BODY AGAINST DOWNWARD MOVEMENT IN SAID PASSAGE, SAID PLUG BODY HAVING AN EQUALIZER PASSAGE THROUGH WHICH FLUID CAN FLOW BETWEEN REGIONS ABOVE AND BELOW SAID PLUG BODY, RETAINER MEANS ENGAGING SAID LATCH MEANS TO PREVENT RELEASE OF SAID LATCH MEANS FROM SAID PACKER BODY, AND VALVE MEANS ON SAID RETAINER MEANS PILOTED OVER A PORTION OF SAID PLUG BODY TO CLOSE SAID EQUALIZER PASSAGE WHEN SAID RETAINER MEANS ENGAGES SAID LATCH MEANS, SAID RETAINER MEANS BEING MOVABLE TO A RELEASED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID LATCH MEANS AND SLIDING SAID VALVE MEANS OVER SAID PORTION OF THE PLUG BODY TO A POSITION OPENING SAID EQUALIZER PASSAGE. 